CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE TAKES ACTION TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE BY VOTING TO STRENGTHEN BACKGROUND CHECKS

Today, Congressman Joe Morelle joined colleagues in the house in voting for legislation he co-sponsored that requires universal background checks on all gun sales. This marks the first gun reform legislation in more than two decades that has been brought to the House floor for a vote.

"Thoughts and prayers cannot put a stop to the never-ending string of senseless gun violence that terrorizes communities across the nation – but common-sense legislation can," said Rep. Morelle. "That's why I am so proud to co-sponsor this historic legislation that takes a significant step forward in our efforts to keep guns out of the wrong hands and ensure safer neighborhoods."

H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, expands background checks to cover all private firearm sales, including those at gun shows, conducted online or through classified ads. This closes a dangerous loophole that previously exempted unlicensed sellers from having to perform any background check before selling a firearm, allowing guns to easily flow onto the black market and into the hands of criminals.

A 2017 Harvard University study found that one in five gun owners purchased their firearm without a background check—translating to millions of guns obtained without knowing whether the purchaser had a history of criminal activity, domestic abuse, assault, or mental illness.

"A great deal of work still lies ahead of us as we seek to enact meaningful nationwide gun reform," continued Morelle. "I will continue to work diligently with my colleagues to further strengthen our gun laws by banning assault weapons, implementing "Red Flag" laws, and addressing the growing instances of gun store burglaries that put our communities in danger."

###